Head Coach of Drake Cross Country, Track & Field Sam Read’s Wife, Rebekah, Shares His Passion for Running and Adventure Around the World

A life dedicated to running and service.

August 13, 2026

This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on August 13, 2026

Sam Read’s wife inspires through her marathon achievements and community service.

Sam Read, a standout distance runner turned accomplished coach, has built an impressive career that has now brought him back to his home state of Iowa.

Recently named the head men’s and women’s cross country and track & field coach at Drake University, Read takes over a program steeped in tradition, including hosting the world-renowned Drake Relays.

A Linn-Mar High School graduate, Read shone as a prep athlete before competing for Wartburg College, where he won the Iowa Conference 10K title and qualified for nationals.

Sam Read returns to Iowa to lead Drake University’s cross country and track & field programs (Source: Duke University)

He began his coaching career as an assistant at Montana State University, helping guide multiple All-Americans and school record holders.

In 2018, Read became the head cross-country and distance coach at Eastern Washington University.

There, he led the program to new heights, producing record-breaking athletes and NCAA West Regional qualifiers while steadily improving team standings in the Big Sky Conference.

Now at Drake, Read’s vision is clear—contend for Missouri Valley Conference titles while fostering a strong team culture rooted in tradition and excellence.

Meet Rebekah Read: Athlete, Humanitarian, and Partner in Life

Sam Read’s wife, Rebekah, shares his passion for athletics and adventure.

A former pole vaulter, soccer player, and cross-country skier from Osseo High School in Minnesota, she long-distance running at Wartburg College, where she met Sam.

Their shared love for running eventually led to marriage in 2017 after Rebekah completed an 18-month mission trip in Honduras, serving as a foster mom and working in orphan prevention.

Sam Read’s wife, Rebekah, combines athletic talent with a heart for humanitarian work (Source: 406mtsports)

Rebekah’s running résumé is as impressive as her husband’s.

She has completed multiple marathons, including the Governor’s Cup, where her 3:26 finish qualified her for the Boston Marathon.

She has also tackled a 50K ultramarathon in California and proudly shares her passion for running with others, including creating a small track for a girls’ orphanage in Honduras.

The Reads now balance coaching, competition, and parenting their two children, Eliza and Bennett.

Whether it’s on the track, in the community, or at home, Rebekah remains a constant source of support and inspiration in Sam’s life—proof that the couple who runs together, truly stays together.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Sam Read has run the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota, twice, qualifying for the Boston, New York, and Chicago marathons on his first attempt right after college.

• He won the 2018 Glacier Half Marathon, setting a new course record.

• Sam humorously considers one of his career highlights to be “being fast enough to make Bekah want to date, and then marry” him.

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